At a friends request, I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts/suggestions for an Israeli full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah that shows very little oak is "earthy" and similar to a French Bordeaux? Kosher is preferable but not at all necessary (but it needs to be available in NY).

No one's "fault" but a somewhat odd request.... First of all, when tasting Israeli wines one of the things one should be doing is comparing to other Israeli and Mediterranean wines and not to Bordeaux. Even a bit more odd ... looking for an Israeli Shiraz that reminds of Bordeaux (where Shiraz is not grown at all) has somewhat akin to wanting to sample a Burgundy red that reminds one of a Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Whatever, here are a few that meet the requirements of full-bodied and with at least an earthy touch and containing the grapes usually used in Bordeaux. Hope this helps..

Barkan, Altitude, Cabernet Sauvignon, 720, 2005: Opens with a smoky, spicy nose, and goes on to deliver appealing plum, blackberry and currant fruits, those overlaid with Oriental spices. Soft, caressing tannins and gentle wood add to the complexity of the wine. Look as well for a tantalizing hint of earthy bitterness that comes in on the long finish. Drink now–2013. Score 91. K

Castel, Grand Vin Castel, 2003: Opens now with a somewhat medicinal-iodine aroma, that yielding quickly to licorice, meaty notes and spices. Dark garnet, full-bodied, with its tannins now integrated nicely and opening to reveal black currants and berries, those with overlays of Mediterannean herbs, green olives, spices, and on the long finish an appealing earthy-herbal note. Now losing its fresh fruit nature but showing first fine notes of maturity. Drink now–2011. Score 92. K

Chateau Golan, Royal Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2003: Deep, young and tight, but showing excellent focus and concentration. Full-bodied and packed with nicely integrating tannins, the wine shows aromas and flavors of currants, black cherries and anise, along with attractive earthy-herbal overtones and hints of green olives. Drink now–2011. Score 90.

Chateau Golan, Eliad, 2004: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot (70%, 21%, 3% and 6% respectively), this may be the most intense wine released to date by the winery. Dark garnet in color, ripe and complex, showing deep plum, berry, floral, coffee, peppery and earthy aromas and flavors all coming together beautifully in a long and graceful finish. Drink now–2012. Score 92.

Flam, Classico, 2004: A blend of 50% each Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, those aged in oak separately for six months. Earthy and herbal on first attack, but that yielding quickly to black cherries, blackberries and currants and, on the finish, hints of tobacco and bittersweet chocolate. Round, generous and elegant. Drink now. Score 90.

There are Israeli wines that can mimic Bordeaux (Syrah not being one). Obviously the wines of Domaine du Castel are the most "francophile" but there are other Israeli wines that are Bordeaux styles. a lot of Bordeaux blends. At value price, I'm a big fan of the Teperberg Meritage, for one.

The first name that came to my mind regarding earthiness is Barkan Reserve Tempranillo, which besides being earthy is also somewhat interesting. Not cab/syrah and probably not brdx-style.

Dalton "D" Shiraz also has some earthy-meaty element in my opinion, and is also a very nice wine with an excellent value. Last, Tulip's cab-franc is a friendly and pleasant wine, showing earth among other varietal (Israeli?) character.

The two most well-known (IMHO) earthy Israeli wines are from the Carmel Single Vineyard series -- the Kayumi --- there is both a Cab Sauv and a Syrah from Kayumi and they are quite earthy and interesting.